From The Straits Times    |

One of the most surprising shows I saw during my recent trip to London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2013-14, was that of designer Maria Grachvogel. While her name wasn’t entirely unknown to me, I was hard pressed to actually remember what her brand was known for or looked like.

During London Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2013-14 I had the opportunity to see the new season’s runway show; and I was blown away. Consisting of beautifully cut and draped separates and dresses in a series of muted tones like mustard, burgundy, stone, petrol and monochrome alongside graphic prints, the collection stood out for its singular voice and structured, yet feminine lines; very forgiving and flattering lines.

Maria Grachvogel Autumn Winter 2013-14 DECOR 1
Key looks from Maria Grachvogel Autumn Winter 2013-14 runway show at London Fashion Week.
Images: Showbit

Front row editors were overheard referring to the label as being “for plus sized women”, but in reality this label is for “real” women. As the designer says: “I make it my mission to design for all women. We don’t use a fit model; we use real women. This is why my collection flatters women from a size 6 to a size 20.”

I later learnt that the brand is also known for its “magic pants”, a way of cutting that produces trousers that are so flattering that wears look as though they are a couple of sizes smaller than they really are. The designer explained that she didn’t name them the “magic pants”, her customers did and the name has stuck.

Despite these references to “real women”, “plus size” and flattering cuts, it’s clear that Maria Grachvogel is just as suitable for the size 0 models on the catwalk as it is for the real women in the audience; and elegant enough for all.

For her Spring Summer 2013 collection – which is now in store at the brand’s Paragon boutique – the designer produced a series of bright white, floaty pieces perfect for your next resort holiday interspersed with sharp black and white, fitted dresses that are equally perfect for the office. There are also a soft series of muted pastel pieces that morph between structure – neat shirts – and soft, draped, looser pieces – which are almost caftan-like in feel and flow.

Maria Grachvogel Spring Summer 2013 DECOR 1
Maria Grachvogel Spring Summer 2013 DECOR 2
Maria Grachvogel Spring Summer 2013 collection is now available in the Maria Grachvogel boutique in Paragon Shopping Centre. Images: Showbit

However it is the printed pieces that really stand out; the designer works with her own artwork – for SS13 it is a rorschach-style graphic – to create shape and detail on long, loose gowns and jumpsuits, shorter more flirty dresses and even on a bodysuit/swimsuit. More colour was added to the collection via a soft lemon yellow worn in conjunction with another, darker, marbled print primarily in green and a red-based version of the same type of fabric.

What makes Maria Grachvogel most interesting as a designer is that she deliberately focuses on creating clothes for all body-types. “I have watched so many customers be transformed and learn to love their body because they have discovered clothes that make them feel like a woman,” says the designer.

If you’re looking for unique, flattering clothes that are elegant and fashion-forward without being unwearable, you’d do well to check out Maria Grachvogel.

The Maria Grachvogel boutique is located at Paragon Shopping Centre,  #01-17, Singapore 238859 Tel: 6235 8981. For more information about Maria Grachvogel, go to www.mariagrachvogel.com. Follow the brand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Maria-Grachvogel and on Twitter at @MariaGrachvogel. Images: Showbit & Maria Grachvogel

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